Tony Battaglia spent more than a quarter-century building the Scranton boys basketball team into a traditional power, one that filled the walls of the high school gymnasium with championship banners.

After devoting countless hours to the process, the mild-mannered, 54-year-old decided to take a break. On Monday morning, the longtime mentor submitted a letter to the school administration for a sabbatical from coaching and his position as a computer science teacher.

This past season, Battaglia earned the 400th win of his career. He is only the ninth coach to achieve the milestone, joining Ken Bianchi, who coached at Line Mountain, Scranton Tech, West Scranton, and Abington Heights, and had 894 wins in his career. Former Forest City legend Julius Prezelski (757); former Scranton Prep coach Jack Farrell (671); former Bishop O’Hara and Holy Cross coach Al Callejas Sr. (567); Pittston Area coach Al Semenza (541), who also coached at Wyoming Area, Old Forge, and Western Wayne; former Bishop O’Hara, Scranton, and West Scranton coach Jack Lyons (501); former Scranton Central coach Bob Gilbride (483); and former Mountain View coach Bill McLaughlin (451) are the others in the 400-win club.

“This was a difficult decision, because coaching has been such a big part of my life,” Battaglia said. “I have had so many great experiences and built lasting relationships through basketball. This will be tough. I feel with Tony coming through the program, experiencing all of that, and him graduating, I need some time to reset.”

 

 

The elder statesman in the coaching ranks of the Lackawanna League, Battaglia started coaching the Knights in the 1999-2000 season. The former all-star guard at Bishop O’Hara got off to an inauspicious 1-22 start, but it did not discourage him from his goal of taking the program to a consistent championship level.

By his fourth season, Battaglia’s team had the first of its nine 20-win seasons. During the decades that followed, Scranton competed at an elite level. The Knights won three District 2 Class 4A championships when the PIAA had only four classifications and reached the state quarterfinals.

In 2010-11, Scranton had its best season. The Knights finished 23-3, averaged 70.0 points per game, and won by an average of 20 points per game.

“When I first came in, I looked at who we had to compete against, and that was Williamsport and Hazleton Area,” Battaglia said. “They were the best teams in the highest classes. That was where I wanted to take the program. I would watch Williamsport and what they did, and know that we had to be more up-tempo and more intense on defense.

“I am very proud of what we developed within the program.”

During Battaglia’s career, Scranton won seven Lackawanna League Division I championships. The Knights won five straight District 2 Class 6A titles from 2021 to 2025. They also won eight Lynett Memorial Basketball Tournament championships.

In addition to his outstanding teams, Battaglia coached several of the top athletes and players in the Lackawanna League. Johnny Nicholls was the first All-Region player in 2002. Lamar Johnson was The Times-Tribune Player of the Year in 2003; Stephon Draper was the player of the year in 2005, the same year that Battaglia won the first of his three Coach of the Year honors (2005, 2010, 2021).

Terry Turner was the player of the year in 2011, and Jason Shields was the player of the year in 2021 and 2022.

AJ McKenna, Tim Fisch, Malik Draper, Andrew Moran, Ky’Ron Harbin, Arvel Chandler, and Oliver Almonte were All-Region players during Battaglia’s tenure.

In 27 seasons, Battaglia had a 405-259 record.

“This has been amazing,” Battaglia said. “To come into a program with great kids. We all worked hard and had success together. We built a really good program where we expected to win every year, be the best we could be, and compete for championships.

“There were so many great players. The first district championship after we struggled to get one was incredible because it was the school’s first. That was very memorable. I have had so many memories and created so many strong bonds that will last a lifetime.”

In his long tenure, Battaglia also enjoyed life’s greatest moments.

He and his wife, Karen, welcomed their oldest daughter, Sophia, who was born in 2005 when Scranton played in the District 2 Class 4A championship game, a game he left in the fourth quarter for her arrival. Their triplets, Tony, Madelyn, and Alexandra, were born on Dec. 28, which had been an off day during the 2007 Lynett Memorial Tournament.

This past season, Battaglia achieved his 400th win. He was on the sideline when his son, Tony, reached 1,000 career points and was named to the Lackawanna League Division I all-star team.

“There was nothing like that,” Battaglia said. “There is a picture of me hugging him after his 1,000th point. I could see all the hard work and effort he put into being the best player that he could be.

“All of these special moments will last with me forever and are things I will never forget.”

 

 

 

TONY BATTAGLIA

Scranton boys basketball head coach

405 — Career wins in 27 seasons

9 — Seasons with 20 or more wins

8 — District 2 championships and Lynett Memorial Tournament titles

7 — Lackawanna League Division I championships

3 — Times-Tribune Coach of the Year awards (2005, 2010, 2021).